This company was founded by Adam Ashworth II (26 April 1850-2 March 1939) and the hat works was situated on the north side Hay Street, off Guide Lane, Hooley Hill, Audenshaw. The origins of the company can be traced back to Adam Ashworth’s father, Adam Ashworth I, who was the proprietor of a hat works at Bury by 1851. Adam Ashworth II was joined in the business by his son, Gilbert Ashworth, who was the company chairman when it was voluntarily wound up in 1966. The company based at Bury was styled Adam Ashworth & Sons (Bury) Ltd and this was voluntarily wound up in 1952. Adam Ashworth & Sons (Bury) Ltd was situated at Fern Hill Mills, Hornby Street, Bury.

Adam Ashworth II was born at Bury, Lancashire, on the 26 April 1850 to Adam Ashworth I and Sarah Taylor who were married at St Mary’s Church, Prestwich on the 16 April 1837. In 1861 he was resident with his parents and siblings on Silver Street, Bury, still at school. By 1881 Adam Ashworth II had moved with his family to Shepley Road, Audenshaw, where he was in business as a hat manufacturer employing 26 women, nine boys and two girls.

Gilbert Ashworth was born at Audenshaw on the 1 March 1881 to Adam Ashworth II and Mary Hacking Lord who were married at Bury in 1873. He married Mabel Pratt at Lancaster in 1910 and in 1911 they were resident at Mellor, Derbyshire. By 1939 they had moved to Wilmslow, where Gilbert died in 1966, aged 85 years. This was in the same year that Adam Ashworth Ltd was liquidated.

Hay Street and the hat works at Hooley Hill are no longer extant and the only reminder of their former existence is Ashworth Avenue off the north side of Water Street.